ADELAIDE: Australian batters, Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith, played astonishing innings to power their side to 473/9 dec on the second day of second Ashes Test.
Labuschagne, earlier in the day, converted his overnight 95* into his fifth Test career century. However, the batter, could not get going for long; having dismissed for 103, he faced a mammoth 305 balls, smashing eight boundaries.
Smith, then, showed his class, stood firm, while his side lost two more wickets in quick succession. He was then joined by Alex Carey, the duo, then, anchored the innings for the Kangaroos. Smith scored 93; missing his 28th century by just seven runs. The batter smashed 12 boundaries and a six.
Carey, on the other hand, was also impressive, scoring a half century, he scored 51 off 107 balls with five boundaries to his name.
Australia’s batting-tail, too, did not disappoint; with Mitchell Starc, scoring run-a-ball 39*, whereas, Michael Neser scored quickfire 35 off 24 balls, laced with five boundaries and a six.
For England, Ben Stokes starred; taking three wickets, while James Anderson bagged two wickets. Chris Woakes, Joe Root, Ollie Robbinson, and Stuart Board, on the other hand, bagged one wicket apiece.
In response to Australia’s 473, English openers struggled to provide a solid start to the side. English side lost both their openers for just 12. Haseeb Hameed scored six, while Rory Burns could only score four.
Root and Dawid Malan, will now resume the proceedings for England at 17/2 on the third day of the ongoing Test.
For Kangaroos, Starc and Neser each took a wicket.
READ: Warner, Labuschagne’s fifties put Australia in enviable position
